by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer

HOT CHIP
PARAMOUNT THEATRE
September 14

Hot Chip isn't a tongue-tingling snack item. It's an electronic band from England that has re-energized the club scene with a string of dance hits - surfacing with 'Over and Over' and then re-emerging with 'Ready for the Floor,' 'One Life Stand,' and 'Night & Day.' The group's fifth studio album, In Our Heads, just came out in June and is being supported with a North American tour landing in Seattle next week.

Through a bad phone connection, I spoke with frontman Alexis Taylor as Hot Chip was finishing up tour rehearsals in London a couple of weeks ago. 'I just came home from band practice,' says Taylor softly as we begin a brief conversation.

Although the Grammy-nominated act has performed in Seattle, it's been several years since its last appearance here. 'We actually played Seattle first with Stereolab,' adds Taylor. 'That was a really fun, good tour.' Regarding the inclusion of the Emerald City on Hot Chip's current itinerary, he states, 'It's somewhere that we've intended to play on most tours.'

The upcoming show at the Paramount will certainly feature newer material. 'We've been playing a good chunk of the record live. We're just learning four tracks at the moment,' states the lead singer. 'We also have some non-album tracks that we're doing as well, so we're kind of mixing it all up with the new stuff.'

As you'd expect, Taylor confirms the mood at the band's live concerts is very upbeat. 'I think it's a friendly atmosphere, quite a lot of high energy. We have about seven people up there on stage, and there's quite a lot of percussion.'

Hot Chip is no stranger to Gay fans. You'll see many at their shows, soaking up the electro-pop tunes and blending in with the open ambiance. There have been times, though, that the group has made it easier for non-hetero followers to see them up close by playing at Gay clubs.

'I DJ'd in Germany at a few Gay nights,' says Taylor. 'I find at all of these places when we play live shows or DJ sets there, the atmosphere is very warm and I feel like we have a connection with the audiences at these places.'

The group, which will also perform in Australia and aboard the inaugural 'Coachella Music Festival at Sea,' was among the artists who composed original work for the recent London Olympics.

'Hot Chip made music for the table-tennis tournament to be played in the auditorium. That was our way in,' Taylor informs me. He made it a point to tune in to some of the events as well. 'I watched the Danny Boyle opening ceremonies and I went to see the women's table-tennis final between Japan and China. And I watched the closing ceremonies.' Taylor believes this music might become available to fans 'once the Olympics people decide what they want to do with it.'

While touring America, Hot Chip will surely visit record shops (Taylor likes the stores in these parts) and could possibly surprise folks with a post-performance DJ set somewhere in town.

'There's nothing we really don't like about America.' Taylor affirms, though he quickly takes that back when he reflects on U.S. food culture. 'The portions are too big,' he says. 'They make us fat.'

Tickets for Hot Chip are still available at www.stgpresents.org, and at the Paramount Theatre and Moore Theatre box offices.

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